James Hanson

[DronnieBlade]

From every post on here nobody challenges the fact that Big Jim gives us something different.

Whether he starts and then Caolan comes on later or vice versa will depend on who we are playing and the state of the game.

Those decisions belongs to Tufty, and he's got most of those right so far.

UTB

Wrong. That's precisely what I AM challenging. "Big Jim" has his attributes. He IS strong in the air. No doubt.

What I am challenging is the perception that :-

This type of player is essential to be successful
I have consistently expressed concerns at the rate at which I see possession turnover when "Big Jim" gets involved.
I refute wholeheartedly that he is a good foil for Sharp. Sharp has never done well playing off this type of player. My belief, and only that, is that Sharp requires pace and trickery in order to maximise his own outputs. Pace and trickery stretches defences. Stretching defences leads to space in behind. Penny dropping yet fellas ??

As it stands we dont have such a player in the ranks, which is why this should IMHO have been our number one priority in January. Gregory should be a Blade and I would dearly like to know and understand why this didn't happen. If it's Clarkes 3 year fucking contract then I'm foaming !!!

If Sharp gets suspended or injured, what do we go with. Lavs and Hans ? Hans and Done ? Lavs & Done ? Sparky ??

Our goalie is good, our defence is good, our midfield is OK , but I genuinely believe we are short of "genuine" quality up top (aside Sharp).

But your right in that Tufty (overall) knows best and in Tufty I wholeheartedly trust.

But no one gets em all right !

UTB

 

[DronnieBlade]

Do you not like being top of the league ?

No. Hate it.

Nowt to moan abart

UTB

 

[NE Blade]

1. That's just about the best, most balanced piece of journalism I have read from someone reporting on their own team in a long long time. Tick a bew son !

2. The journo states that Hanson dominated Derik in the air. Yes he did. Thats all he has said. Nothing more. One short sentence. No waxing lyrical on the performance in the same way reserved for Sharp. He didn't say Hanson played well. He didn't say he was effective. He didn't contribute to the goals. He didn't show what a brilliant touch he has. He didn't. Just didn't.

That's not the debate. What is under discussion is how "effective" this was.

What this appears to have turned in to, correct me if I'm wrong, is Hanson winnng headers. No more no less. Everything else is periphery, irrelevant and insignificant.

Expect the 7'6' guy from Gerry Cottles circus on stilts to line up Satdi !!!!

UTB

Fast forward to 0:57 in the below video and tell us again how ineffective Hanson's headers are:



....and while you're on YouTube 1:00 into this video is worth another look too.



I went to the game yesterday with an Arsenal fan. A more avid fan of 'proper football' you will not find. After the game he gave the opinion that Hanson is the perfect foil for Sharp and that they're pretty much unstoppable at this level.

If he Hanson lays on one gilt edged chance per game for Sharp then he's doing his job. Added to that his physical presence in both boxes stops us from being bullied by more 'industrial' teams. In short he is totally invaluable to this side.

 

[Fanny magnet]

Wrong. That's precisely what I AM challenging. "Big Jim" has his attributes. He IS strong in the air. No doubt.

What I am challenging is the perception that :-

This type of player is essential to be successful
I have consistently expressed concerns at the rate at which I see possession turnover when "Big Jim" gets involved.
I refute wholeheartedly that he is a good foil for Sharp. Sharp has never done well playing off this type of player. My belief, and only that, is that Sharp requires pace and trickery in order to maximise his own outputs. Pace and trickery stretches defences. Stretching defences leads to space in behind. Penny dropping yet fellas ??

As it stands we dont have such a player in the ranks, which is why this should IMHO have been our number one priority in January. Gregory should be a Blade and I would dearly like to know and understand why this didn't happen. If it's Clarkes 3 year fucking contract then I'm foaming !!!

If Sharp gets suspended or injured, what do we go with. Lavs and Hans ? Hans and Done ? Lavs & Done ? Sparky ??

Our goalie is good, our defence is good, our midfield is OK , but I genuinely believe we are short of "genuine" quality up top (aside Sharp).

But your right in that Tufty (overall) knows best and in Tufty I wholeheartedly trust.

But no one gets em all right !

UTB

The manager thought that Hanson's addition would put a stop to our stuttering spell where we were dropping points and not taking chances

Since we signed Hanson we've done that ,sharp is scoring more and the team's doing well

I'd loved us to have signed someone like lukaku to steamroller teams but couple of hundred grand wouldn't even pay a months wages

 

[DronnieBlade]

Fast forward to 0:57 in the below video and tell us again how ineffective Hanson's headers are:



....and while you're on YouTube 1:00 into this video is worth another look too.



I went to the game yesterday with an Arsenal fan. A more avid fan of 'proper football' you will not find. After the game he gave the opinion that Hanson is the perfect foil for Sharp and that they're pretty much unstoppable at this level.

If he Hanson lays on one gilt edged chance per game for Sharp then he's doing his job. Added to that his physical presence in both boxes stops us from being bullied by more 'industrial' teams. In short he is totally invaluable to this side.

Are you being serious ?

A 2 + minute highlight reel of the Bolton game turns up one header that results in a half chance not taken !!

And the Scunnie assist. Assist nonetheless, so I'll give you that. Did it escape you that he completely missed the header and it comes off his back, bounces fortuitously for Sharp, who does what Sharp does.

Now I couldn't care less how they go in, but if this is the sum total of your findings, could I suggest you spend a wee bit more time on YouTube and find a bit more. #unimpressed.

And I could not care 2 fooks abart the view of the gooner. Most of those pricks have wanted Wenger out for 5 years so what do they know !!!

UTB

 

[DronnieBlade]

The manager thought that Hanson's addition would put a stop to our stuttering spell where we were dropping points and not taking chances

Since we signed Hanson we've done that ,sharp is scoring more and the team's doing well

I'd loved us to have signed someone like lukaku to steamroller teams but couple of hundred grand wouldn't even pay a months wages

That's that then. It's all down to Hanson for our upturn in form.

Must be.

UTB

 

[Fanny magnet]

That's that then. It's all down to Hanson for our upturn in form.

Must be.

UTB

And the manager

 

[DronnieBlade]

And the manager

Now I will give you that.

To pinch one of Pinchys, thank Tufty !

UTB

 

[NE Blade]

Are you being serious ?

A 2 + minute highlight reel of the Bolton game turns up one header that results in a half chance not taken !!

And the Scunnie assist. Assist nonetheless, so I'll give you that. Did it escape you that he completely missed the header and it comes off his back, bounces fortuitously for Sharp, who does what Sharp does.

Now I couldn't care less how they go in, but if this is the sum total of your findings, could I suggest you spend a wee bit more time on YouTube and find a bit more. #unimpressed.

And I could not care 2 fooks abart the view of the gooner. Most of those pricks have wanted Wenger out for 5 years so what do they know !!!

UTB

Ok so you think most Arsenal fans are pricks. How about our manager who has taken us to the top of the league after five previous seasons of abject failure. Is his opinion worthless too? He happens to think 'Hants' is doing an excellent job for the team.

 

[NE Blade]

Are you being serious ?

A 2 + minute highlight reel of the Bolton game turns up one header that results in a half chance not taken !!

And the Scunnie assist. Assist nonetheless, so I'll give you that. Did it escape you that he completely missed the header and it comes off his back, bounces fortuitously for Sharp, who does what Sharp does.

Now I couldn't care less how they go in, but if this is the sum total of your findings, could I suggest you spend a wee bit more time on YouTube and find a bit more. #unimpressed.

And I could not care 2 fooks abart the view of the gooner. Most of those pricks have wanted Wenger out for 5 years so what do they know !!!

UTB

Contributing assists, creating chances and scoring a good goal on his debut doesn't impress you? Which of our strikers from the last 6 seasons would you rather partner Sharp in the run in?

 

[super_pig]

Wrong. That's precisely what I AM challenging. "Big Jim" has his attributes. He IS strong in the air. No doubt.

What I am challenging is the perception that :-

This type of player is essential to be successful
I have consistently expressed concerns at the rate at which I see possession turnover when "Big Jim" gets involved.
I refute wholeheartedly that he is a good foil for Sharp. Sharp has never done well playing off this type of player. My belief, and only that, is that Sharp requires pace and trickery in order to maximise his own outputs. Pace and trickery stretches defences. Stretching defences leads to space in behind. Penny dropping yet fellas ??

As it stands we dont have such a player in the ranks, which is why this should IMHO have been our number one priority in January. Gregory should be a Blade and I would dearly like to know and understand why this didn't happen. If it's Clarkes 3 year fucking contract then I'm foaming !!!

If Sharp gets suspended or injured, what do we go with. Lavs and Hans ? Hans and Done ? Lavs & Done ? Sparky ??

Our goalie is good, our defence is good, our midfield is OK , but I genuinely believe we are short of "genuine" quality up top (aside Sharp).

But your right in that Tufty (overall) knows best and in Tufty I wholeheartedly trust.

But no one gets em all right !

UTB

league one teams don't have genuine quality up front. that's whey they are in league one.. anyways.. wind yer neck in ffs DB

 

[DronnieBlade]

Ok so you think most Arsenal fans are pricks. How about our manager who has taken us to the top of the league after five previous seasons of abject failure. Is his opinion worthless too? He happens to think 'Hants' is doing an excellent job for the team.

He also thought Leon was !

Tufty is the best thing to have happened to this club in what seems like forever. I fookin love the bloke. What he has brought to the club in such a short space of time is nothing short of phenomenal.

And I am, for the record, not 100% anti James Hanson. But Hanson has played in 4 games out of 32 for us so implying he's been anything other than a wee wee part of our rise to the top is, bluntly, churlish.

UTB

 

[DronnieBlade]

Contributing assists, creating chances and scoring a good goal on his debut doesn't impress you? Which of our strikers from the last 6 seasons would you rather partner Sharp in the run in?

Oh no.

Don't go there

UTB

 

[DronnieBlade]

league one teams don't have genuine quality up front. that's whey they are in league one.. anyways.. wind yer neck in ffs DB

Relative quality then.

And no. Unless I'm good and ready.

UTB

 

[Kentblade]

For someone of a more mature age, with commensurate wisdom to boot, you "really" should know better !!

But seriously it does go somewhat to proving (in my own mind at least) what I believe I have been hearing in the ground. That's it's the "older" (with respect) brigade that lack understanding the most. Sorry.

UTB

You make a very good point re requiring extra skill etc,
Maybe the "older " brigade accept that we are still a league one side working to a strict limited budget on transfers, and that restricts us from funding the type of player we would all prefer to see .
I see this signing as one to get us out of this division, not a long term one.
I am always delighted and encouraged to see and hear the enthusiasm of our younger supporters who are the clubs long term future.
Keep it going.
UTB

 

[Liaminho9]

DronnieBlade i see you have responded to others but ignored my point about Aaron Wilbraham, in response to your comment of no team in the last two years have played off a big striker.

If we clear the ball upfield to Sharp/Lavery/Done/McNulty, it comes straight back. If Hanson (or Clarke, who has bwen hampered by injury) flicks it on, even to the opposition defence, it gives vital seconds for our defence to push up, leaving opposing strikers offside, or further from our goal.

 

[DronnieBlade]

DronnieBlade i see you have responded to others but ignored my point about Aaron Wilbraham, in response to your comment of no team in the last two years have played off a big striker.

If we clear the ball upfield to Sharp/Lavery/Done/McNulty, it comes straight back. If Hanson (or Clarke, who has bwen hampered by injury) flicks it on, even to the opposition defence, it gives vital seconds for our defence to push up, leaving opposing strikers offside, or further from our goal.

Wilbraham does tick the big un box. 6'3" and rather handy in the air. Good player.

But could you honestly say Bristol C employed him 2 seasons ago as a target player ?

While not impossible, up top target players rarely score 20+ goals. Strikes me he's more in a Brian Deane mould rather than a James Hanson. Maybe that's unfair and, of course, i didn't watch all Bristol City's games. Would be interesting to hear their fans views but viewing this, I suspect, he wasn't used in the main as a target player.



UTB

 

[DronnieBlade]

DronnieBlade i see you have responded to others but ignored my point about Aaron Wilbraham, in response to your comment of no team in the last two years have played off a big striker.

If we clear the ball upfield to Sharp/Lavery/Done/McNulty, it comes straight back. If Hanson (or Clarke, who has bwen hampered by injury) flicks it on, even to the opposition defence, it gives vital seconds for our defence to push up, leaving opposing strikers offside, or further from our goal.

Sharp is, by far, our best target player. Not in the air I'll grant you. But in to feet, absolutely so. So I can't agree with your sweeping generalisation that played to Sharp/Lavery/Done/McNuts it comes straight back. It just doesn't !

Or are we back to Mandela again

UTB

 

[essexblade73]

anyone who thinks hanson is shite pls go to the tin shack up the road...or specsavers...or kenwood house..nutters

 

[DronnieBlade]

anyone who thinks hanson is shite pls go to the tin shack up the road...or specsavers...or kenwood house..nutters

Absolutely no one on this thread has said that. Or implied it. No one.

UTB

 

[Liaminho9]

Sharp is, by far, our best target player. Not in the air I'll grant you. But in to feet, absolutely so. So I can't agree with your sweeping generalisation that played to Sharp/Lavery/Done/McNuts it comes straight back. It just doesn't !

Or are we back to Mandela again

UTB

My 'if we clear the ball upfield' was implying the ball in the air, hence my example of our 4 strikers under 6ft.
We're all football fans and will disagree on various matters, i just wanted to put my opinions across.

As you say, UTB.

Who cares what us fans think. Wilder and his players are doing the job, and doing it well.

 

[DronnieBlade]

My 'if we clear the ball upfield' was implying the ball in the air, hence my example of our 4 strikers under 6ft.
We're all football fans and will disagree on various matters, i just wanted to put my opinions across.

As you say, UTB.

Who cares what us fans think. Wilder and his players are doing the job, and doing it well.

Fair dinkum.

Also accepting that there will of course be times when clearing it up the park high and handsome will, at times, be the only viable option.

But I just believe that in general play, when there is a choice of what to do with the ball in order to progress offensively, the high and handsome route is such a low percentage option.

And why anyone would want or choose to bypass the best midfield outside the PL (bearing in mind we are up against L1 midfielders) is beyond me. Thankfully, in the main, we don't.

And yes, of course they are all doing their bit. Every single one. Including "Big Jim".

UTB

 

[JonnyRed(WCFC)]

rolls up his sleeves, gets stuck in and does the dirty work well

 

[Rupicola]

I think Hanson is a good option to have, Leon was supposed to do a similar job but it hansoned worked out. It is sometimes useful to have a physical presence upfront to unsettle defenders and create space. I think slavery is another great option for different reasons.

 

[Rupicola]

Just noticed the error on my last post, I'm sorry its lavery definitely not slavery

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

Just noticed the error on my last post, I'm sorry its lavery definitely not slavery

Bloody hell, it's a good job we haven't got a Greek player with a name like paedophilia - that spellchecker could get you sent to prison.

 

[JohnDenver]

You make a very good point re requiring extra skill etc,
Maybe the "older " brigade accept that we are still a league one side working to a strict limited budget on transfers, and that restricts us from funding the type of player we would all prefer to see .
I see this signing as one to get us out of this division, not a long term one.
I am always delighted and encouraged to see and hear the enthusiasm of our younger supporters who are the clubs long term future.
Keep it going.
UTB

You're a polite chap. In your shoes I'd have pointed out that what little I've forgotten is more than he's ever known. But glad you rose above.

 

[blade67]

Than I assume you have countless examples of when teams score WITHOUT possession ?

And countless examples of when teams concede when WITH possession.

Style does NOT come in to it. Where did I mention style ?

Your flippant ascertion regarding "this possession thing is a myth" is simply staggering. Only in S2

Thankfully our players and manager know better !

UTB

the debate about possession and success is a long one but I read an interesting fact today.

In the premier league 44% of games are won by the team that has the higher percentage of possession versus 34% of games won by the team with less possession.

This percentage goes up considerably in the Champions league and I'd goes down a bit in the Championship and league 1.

The higher up you go the more likely lots of possession will lead to victories as you have players more likely to do damage with the ball and less likely to give it away in dangerous areas.

We saw last season how possession for it's own sake is both boring and potentially dangerous but thankful we currently have a team that don't just piss about with it, but have a purpose and a threat and when we recycle the ball it's always with the intend of a dangerous piece of play to come..

I too am only half impressed with Hanson, he's working his socks off and does keep defenders occupied which helps everyone including our midfield but a sharper CF would have made the keeper work a couple of times yesterday. He's a valuable part of the picture to get us up I think.

 

[Antonb]

Having just watched the second half again, I think Hanson was bloody good. He was a thorn in the side of there defense and is more mobile than I remembered. What did he cost, 150,000. Worth every penny. His sheer presence makes defenders quake! An excellent signing to help us get over the finishing line.

 

[Pittsburg Blade]

Fair dinkum.

Also accepting that there will of course be times when clearing it up the park high and handsome will, at times, be the only viable option.

But I just believe that in general play, when there is a choice of what to do with the ball in order to progress offensively, the high and handsome route is such a low percentage option.

And why anyone would want or choose to bypass the best midfield outside the PL (bearing in mind we are up against L1 midfielders) is beyond me. Thankfully, in the main, we don't.

And yes, of course they are all doing their bit. Every single one. Including "Big Jim".

UTB

High and Hanson